A review of the abundance, behaviour and detection of clostridial pathogens in agricultural soils.

Palmer, Joseph S.; Hough, Rupert L.; West, Helen M.; Avery, Lisa M.

Abstract

The soil is a reservoir for various clostridial pathogens, with agricultural soils representing a major source of contamination for overlying crops and grazing livestock. Understanding the prevalence and behaviour of pathogens in these soils is fundamental to ascertaining and mitigating the risk of disease from agroecosystems. This article reviews research pertaining to the overall distribution and abundance of clostridial pathogens in the soil while identifying possible environmental and soil factors influencing their behaviour. Large-scale soil screens have identified pathogens across the globe, although some Clostridium botulinum toxinotypes are more prevalent in certain geographic regions. Faecal inputs and organic waste amendments to the soil can elevate the levels of enteric clostridial pathogens in the soil and the subsequent disease risk, as highlighted by case–control studies. The ability of Clostridia to sporulate results in their long-term persistence post-introduction, increasing the time period for disease transmission. Regularly or permanently saturated soils may also enhance survival, or potentially facilitate the regrowth of some indigenous or introduced Clostridia. This is supported by the high prevalence of Clostridia in paddy soils, greater detection of pathogens in flooded soils, and the higher onset of some clostridial diseases in regions with poorly drained soils. Future research should elucidate soil types and environmental conditions which can enhance pathogen survival/regrowth. The adoption of molecular and sequencing technologies for future diagnostics can facilitate more sensitive detection and a higher resolution of pathogen typing, allowing a better understanding of pathogen population dynamics in farm soils and disease epidemiology.

Citation

PALMER, J.S., HOUGH, R.L., WEST, H.W. and AVERY, L.M. 2019. A review of the abundance, behaviour and detection of clostridial pathogens in agricultural soils. European journal of soil science [online], 70(4), pages 911-929. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/ejss.12847

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 6, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Jul 15, 2019
• Publication Date: Jul 31, 2019
• Deposit Date: Jan 26, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 11, 2021
• Journal: European journal of soil science
• Print ISSN: 1351-0754
• Electronic ISSN: 1365-2389
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 70
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 911-929
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ejss.12847
• Keywords: Anaerobes; Bacterial survival; Clostridium; Livestock disease; Soil-borne pathogens
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/983862
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/ejss.12847